Tips on Swiss Watch Care

Store Owner Oct 16, 2014 1:13:06 AM

Swiss watch is an accessory, the value of which is not influenced by fashion and time. They are created with skill and perfection of the best watchmakers and can gladden owners for many years, and even be handed down from generation to generation. But even they need care. Basic tips on Swiss watches care are described by their manufacturers. Following them is not difficult, all that the owner must have is a little attention and punctuality.

Watch care starts with their winding. Classic Swiss watch has a manual winding, many modern models are self-winding watches. But anyway it is necessary to monitor the time and keep winding.

Before setting watch forward or backward it’s necessary to take it off the wrist. This way the pressure distribution on the winding crown during winding up will be even. And since this part is directly connected with the watch movement uncareful pressure may damage it with the lapse of time.

Watch with manual winding is better to wind every day, regardless of its work reserve (except watches with work reserve of 5 days or more). It is advisable to do that at the same time. This way you will relieve the spring mechanism from stretching, and it will last longer. This daily ritual of winding is a useful habit for a businessman, it trains punctuality and accuracy.

It s not recommended changing the date at the time when it is automatically done by the calendar mechanism: manual intervention can affect its accuracy. Most watches with a calendar provide automatic date changing every day between 22 and 4.

It is desirable to wind the watch even when you do not wear it. During long-term storage of stopped watch lubricant for movement parts thickens and loses its properties. As a result, the movement degrades faster and loses its accuracy.

Glass is a vulnerable outer part of the watch case. In Swiss watches mostly sapphire glass is used, it is especially scratch resistant. Though sapphire glass can be easily broken by a side impact. Try not to keep the watch in your pocket together with keys and store them in the same box with adornments and jewelry. If there is any crack the watch must be stopped and given to the service center for glass replacement. The thing is the friction of the arrows on the damaged surface may affect the accuracy of the movement.

It is better to keep the watch in the original box, or in the box with the walls covered with a soft cloth. And for storing self-winding watch there are special boxes, winders. Such boxes have special mechanism, which periodically turns the watch, and they are automatically wound-up while you are not wearing the watch.

Swiss watch must be removed for the night: a man can move without control while sleeping, and accidentally damage the watch. In addition, hands are sweating, and while the person is stationary, sweat is accumulating under the watch and wristlet and is spoiling the watch.

The load on the mechanism also occurs from sudden movements. If you are going to operate a jackhammer, so take the watch off. If you lead an active lifestyle or do sports, it is better to wear sports watches. They have a more secured case and rubber strap, which absorbs sudden movements, is not spoiled by sweat and can be easily cleaned. Strap (wristlet) can also be metallic, it is not recommended to do sports with the watch on a leather strap.

The environment one way or another affects the movement. Although this influence is not so obvious and can’t cause instant damage, but later it can cause problems with watch accuracy. And you know the accuracy is one of the key advantages of the elite Swiss watches.

Temperature is one of the environmental factors affecting the mechanical watch. In the cold lubricating oil on movement parts is getting thick and can slow down the stroke. Heat expands metal, and that is also not good for movement parts. As a rule, watch documentation specifies limits of temperature.

Magnetic fields also affect the accuracy of mechanical watches. So the watch should be kept away from apparatus radiating magnetic waves.

Chemicals can damage the polished surface of the watch. Avoid the watch from contact with household chemicals, deodorants and perfumes. To clean the watch just wipe it with a soft cloth. Water-resistant models should be wiped with a soft cloth moistened with weak water solution of soap, the strap removed before. Wipe the watch dry.

It is not recommended to lubricate and clean the watch movement on your own in order to avoid dust penetrating. It is better to contact the service center.

Water-resistant watches are more adapted to the environmental influence. But they require special care. In particular, it is necessary to renew the sealant in time.

Sea water is harmful because of the high concentration of salts, even for the most water-resistant models. So you need to rinse the watch in fresh water after each immersion. Before immersion make sure that all the crowns are screwed up.

Any water-resistant watch has limits, which are generally described in the specifications. So, the watch marked Water Resistant will not be damaged by water splashes or rain, but is not suitable for swimming and diving. The watch marked Water Resistant to 50 meters is suitable for taking shower and swimming in the pool or shallow water body. The watch with marking Water Resistant to 150 meters is suitable not only for swimming but also for snorkelling, and Water Resistant to 200 meters watch is suitable for scuba diving. Scuba Diver's watch to 200 meters and Diver’s to 300 meters are designed for deep sea diving. There are also advanced models for professional divers enduring diving to a depth of from 1000 to 6000 meters. They have a helium escape valve, which releases helium molecules from the case when external pressure changes.

It is necessary to check the tightness and condition of the gaskets of water-resistant watches every 2-3 years. Maintenance is a necessary part of Swiss watch care. This procedure includes adjustment of the accuracy, cleaning and lubrication of the movement and polishing of the surfaces. Going through maintenance is recommended every 4-5 years.